Honestly, I had never paid so much attention to the act of washing hands. This is especially true for modern Japanese people, as our high level of hygiene has been maintained without us having to consciously worry about it. Even if our handwashing was a bit sloppy, it never led to serious consequences. However, the landscape has completely changed with the spread of coronavirus infections. I'm sure everyone feels the same way: 'Who could have imagined such a day would come...' What can we do to escape this situation? I believe we need to learn from our predecessors now.

It is said that hands are the source of infection for many viruses. Viruses attached to train handrails, handrails, elevator buttons, and doorknobs are transmitted to our hands, and then we unconsciously touch our mouths, noses, or eyes with those hands, allowing the virus to enter our bodies through the mucous membranes. From infected individuals, the virus then spreads further by exposing others to cough or sneeze droplets, or by others touching surfaces that an infected person has touched.

Even if hands do not appear dirty, they may harbor pathogenic viruses and bacteria. That is why washing them thoroughly with soap and running water is the basic and most effective measure for infection control. So, what are the conditions for proper handwashing?

Lather the soap thoroughly.
Wash hands for 30 seconds.

By lathering the soap thoroughly, it spreads over the entire hand, reaching into the wrinkles of the hands and under the nails. Thirty seconds is surprisingly short when you consciously wash the areas that are often neglected during handwashing.

Proper handwashing alone is highly effective, but in reality, we tend to rush, leave areas unwashed, and shorten the time. Making a series of actions a habit is not that easy.

Therefore, let's keep in mind that 'handwashing stops the spread of infection' and meet these two conditions. If you can't wash for 30 seconds, making it a habit to wash twice might be a good idea. Wash with soapy water, rinse, and then start again by lathering with soap. This way, you can achieve the 30-second handwashing time without consciously thinking about it.

It is also effective to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in conjunction. After drying your hands with a clean towel, thoroughly apply the sanitizer all over your hands, just like washing them, to remove any remaining viruses or bacteria that were not washed away. When you return home, before meals, after using the restroom, before preparing food. Let's practice 'proper handwashing' diligently in these situations.

You've likely seen the green soapy liquid in handwashing stations in schools, train stations, and various public facilities. Some of you may be familiar with the name 'Shabonnet'.

In 1952, shortly after the war, when dysentery cases in Japan peaked, Saraya devised and commercialized Shabonnet soap liquid, derived from coconut oil, which could sterilize and disinfect while washing hands. They also created a dedicated pump dispenser that allowed many people to use it cleanly. This marked the beginning of modern Japanese public health history. Saraya's medicated soap liquid in its dedicated dispenser was adopted in public restrooms across Japan.

Saraya has also actively promoted hygiene awareness through slogans such as 'Wash your hands after using the restroom.' The knowledge about proper handwashing mentioned earlier is based on Saraya's own research and evidence-based information from domestic and international research institutions. The Saraya brand has consistently communicated the importance of handwashing.

Saraya's activities are not limited to Japan.

Globally, nearly 16,000 children under the age of five die each day, many from preventable diseases. It is said that simply washing hands properly with soap can prevent diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, saving the lives of one million children.

In response, Saraya launched the '1 Million Handwashing Project' in 2010. They donate 1% of sales from relevant hygiene products to UNICEF to support handwashing promotion activities in Uganda, Africa. Saraya's approach is not just to provide handwashing facilities but also to widely disseminate knowledge about 'why handwashing is important'.

These initiatives, which enhance public health through both facilities and knowledge, have also impacted healthcare facilities in Uganda. As a result of Saraya's efforts through its local subsidiary in Uganda to communicate the importance of hand disinfection and train people on the correct methods, infections in maternity wards have drastically decreased. Saraya is creating local employment while solving social issues in Africa and promoting education for healthcare professionals and the widespread use of disinfection.

As an unknown virus, for which no vaccine has yet been established, spreads worldwide, Saraya is supplying various cleaning and disinfecting agents to protect people on the front lines of healthcare and those supporting essential infrastructure, thus safeguarding vital lifelines from behind the scenes. Now that the state of emergency is gradually being lifted, the fact that Japan's infection spread has not led to an explosive outbreak, but has managed to stop just short of it, is the result of the hygiene habits built up by our ancestors and previous generations. Saraya has been at the forefront, guiding the public.

While we hope the situation will continue to improve, history suggests that we must prepare for the possibility of a second or third wave. The fight against infectious diseases requires each individual to make hygienic behavior a habit. Therefore, we want to spend this precious time after the lifting of the state of emergency, while being mindful of the presence of the leading company that has been supporting Japan's public health from behind the scenes.